Combination suitcase and ironing board



June 1970 R. v. PEMBERTON, JR 3,51

COMBINATION SUITCASE AND IRONING BOARD Filed Aug. 19, 1968 Patented June 23, 1970 3,516,523 COMBINATION SUITCASE AND IRONING BOARD Russell V. Pemberton, Jr., 502 Monticello St., Culpeper, Va. 22701 Filed Aug. 19, 1968, Ser. No. 753,342 Int. Cl. A45c 9/00 U.S. Cl. 190-11 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combination utility item comprising a suitcase having extendable opposite end walls so to form an ironing board, the ends being retractable into a flush fit with the remainder of the opposite ends of the suitcase and the opposite ends each including a recess for receiving one of the extendable end walls.

This invention relates generally to suitcases.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a suitcase having self-contained means for being convertible into an ironing board.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a suitcase convertible into an ironing board which is particularly adaptable for travellers and the like who wish to be able to perform ironing of their clothing while they are away from home.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination suitcase ironing board which may be handily used on ship board or in hotels where a quick pressing service is not readily available.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a combination suitcase ironing board which can be readily set up upon a coffee table, chair or end of a bed.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a combination suitcase ironing board which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown set up as an ironing board;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof shown in retracted position for service as a suitcase;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation view showing a corner detail thereof;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of the tapered end of the ironing board; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of the butt end of the ironing board.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral represents a combination suitcase ironing board according to the present invention wherein there is a suitcase 11 comprised of a case 12 to which a cover 13 is hingedly secured in a conventional manner. The cover is secured to the case by means of locks 14. The case includes a top wall 15, bottom wall 16, side wall 17 and opposite end walls 18 and 19.

One of the end walls 18 includes a recess 20 into which a tapered end 21 of an ironing board 22 is pivotably receivable. As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing, when the tapered end 21 is in a retracted position within the recess 20, the outer side of the tapered end is flush with the end wall 18. A finger lifting opening 23 is provided in the end of the ironing board member 21 so as to readily lift the same out of the recess 20. The member 21 is pivotable about a hinge 24 and is supported in an extended position by means of a brace 25 conventionally formed of a pair of links 26 hingedly secured together at 27, one of the links having an overlap 28 so to maintain the brace rigid as a unitary structure when the member 21 is in an extended position. A receptacle 29 in the end wall of the recess 20 serves to receive a twist lock member 30 upon the underside of the member 21.

The opposite end wall 19 includes a butt member 31 pivotable about a hinge 32 which may be pivoted into a recess 33 so to form a flush end surface with the end wall 19 when the same is in a retracted position. The butt member 31 is likewise secured in an extended position by means of a brace 25 which is of like construction as the brace which supports the tapered end of the ironing board 21.

The top wall 15 of the suitcase includes a recess 34 into which a handle 35 is pivotably retractable so as to be flush with the upper surface of the top wall 15. A finger receiving recess 36 is formed integral with recess 34 so as to provide means for a persons finger to raise the handle 35 upwardly when the device is used as a suitcase for transportation.

In operative use, as an ironing board, the tapered end 21 and the butt member 31 are raised to a horizontal position so to be flush with the upper surface of the top wall 15, as shown in FIG. 1. When the device is to be used as a suitcase, the ironing board members 21 and 31 are retracted downwardly into a position as shown in FIG. 2. It is to be noted that the suitcase interior is not affected by the end wall constructions which form the ironing board. It will be further noted that the butt member 31 is likewise provided with twist locks 30 which engage corresponding openings in the end wall recess 33 for securing the same when the device is to be used as a suitcase.

While various changes may be made in the detailed construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as is defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a combination suitcase ironing board, the combination of a suitcase member, said suitcase member including a top wall, a bottom wall, a side wall and opposite end walls so to enclose an interior, said walls forming a case, and said case having a cover secured hingedly thereto along one edge thereof, the opposite edge of said cover being releasibly secured to said case by means of locks, and said suitcase member having self-contained means for being converted into an ironing board, said means comprising an ironing board tapered end member hingedly secured to one said end wall of said case, and a butt member hingedly secured to an opposite said end wall of said case, said tapered end and said butt member forming a continuous iron board when in an extended position, each said end wall including a recess for receiving one of said ironing board members in a flush position with the outer surface thereof.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said ironing board members is supported in an extended position by means of a foldable brace.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said ironing board members is unlockably secured in a retracted position against said end wall by means of a twist lock receivable within a lock opening in a respective said end wall.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein a suitcase handle is pivotally secured upon said top wall of said case, said handle being retractable into a recess formed in the upper surface of said top wall so that said handle is flush with said surface when in a retracted posi- 3 4 tion, said recess having a finger receiving recess integral 2,872,260 2/1959 Walter 108-81 therewith so to provide easy access for raising said handle. 3,326,337 6/ 1967 Bell 19011 References Cited DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 952,297 3/1910 Bennett 108-80 1,328,000 1/1920 Jones 10880 38104; 108S1; 19057 2,336,685 12/1943 Hicks 10881 

